Pests, Diseases and Cures

You could perhaps put some plastic around the plant / container so that the rain runs off,rather than into, the container? That would prevent it getting any more wet in the winter. Or move them into garage / under carport / overhang (they'd need light periodically if in garage though, so that's...

Simon - I would agree with you about the devastating effect man is having on the environment. However, I think that the devastation is mainly cause by the sheer quantity of humans, rather than by individual humans per se. And why do we have such quantities? Its because there is nothing to...

Traps Zigs - and not the so called humane ones either. Been there, done that and got the t-shirt, and can tell you from experience the only way to get rid is to play hard

Very good point Kristen. I have been pruning off affected branches for some time now with the same view in mind. Most are reshooting and flowering,some or not. I don't normaly spray but maybee next year I might.

Somebody should throw him/her a rope.

I'm sure someone more knowledgable will have a better answer, fc, but my understanding is that hollyhock rust is a common problem. In your shoes, I would bin them and enjoy your seeds.

Thanks pete! I've got a load of others ripening in my home made ripener - Help! Off-plant ripening - and they will probably end up in a tomato sauce to freeze and use for curry or pasta etc, so it can join them

I was a teenager once

Oh well that's something to look forward to lol

Pear rust. Remove leaves and burn / throw away, not compost.

I still have a further nasty crispy affliction I've never had my marrows have never had before to check out ....

I agree, feed problem. Epsom Salts will fix a Magnesium deficiency. Bit late in the season for Magnesium deficiency though ... have they just started cropping perhaps? Cold nights?

A second marrow plant now has a rotting mainstem oozing gloop:

oh i wish people would stop giving me really good ideas

Lost one of my Asphopeline seedlings now - slugs round here must have flippers and a snorkel I reckon!

Ah well, that was good while it lasted. Lesson learnt for next year too. The more leaves I snipped off with the scissors, the worse and worse it got, and every single stem was also covered in the mildew, so they are now all gone. On the bright side, its letting a lot more light into the...

You've also got a leaf miner. Burn the leaves

I do exactly that too, although I specifically use "horticulural soap" which I understand is less harmful to [some] plants. Can't remember the chemistry, but I think it has to do with Phosphates or something like that [present in regular washing up liquid, absent from "horticultural soap"] ...